Above is the main gate to the Bien Hoa Air Base. Access to the air base was controlled by the Air Force Police who later became known as Security Police, or SPs. Right, Jack Smith and Jack Smith today with former SP Jackie Kays at the Air Force museum.

Calvin Herdman, above at the main gate to the Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon. Top right an unknown SP and National Policeman patrol the base in a joint operation. Dave Dowdell and another unknown SP patrolling the perimeter to Tan Son Nhut on the graveyard shift.

An SP and an MP get the 60 cal. machine gun loaded and ready for a joint patrol near Bien Hoa. SP Rueben Davis and his war dog are from the 3rd Security Police Squadron. Their main job was to be on the lookout for sappers. Another SP is ready for patrol as he sits next to his 50 cal. machine gun.

APs from the 3rd Security Police Squadron stop to talk to a local girl. Tommy Williams Air Force Security Police, Phu Cat Air Base. Tommy Williams poses with a captured VC 122mm. rocket launcher. Notice the bamboo tripod. You might think pretty primitive, but they were very effective at shooting rockets into Saigon during TET and TET II.

photo David Dowdell

Tommy poses with ROK (Republic of Korea) soldiers. These photos are from the Phu Cat Air Base in 1970-71.Left, Jack Smith at the main gate to Ton Son Nhut Air Base, 377th Security Police. Pat Houseworth and Harry Bevan, Nha Trang, 1969. Pat today. Visit his web site at http://patsdailyrant.blogspot.com/

Dong Ha was a desolate outpost near the DMZ. A Quad-50 (50 caliber machine guns) sits atop an old French fort. Terry Sandman was one of the group of SPs who maintained the perimeter security for this combat base.

Bob Anisko sent in these two very interesting pics of SPs from the early year of 1963. Notice the hats and even a pith helmet on one SP. Bob Cruz goofs around and Dempsey Taylor (from Detroit) , to his right, has a laugh. Main gate to Ton Son Nhut, 1963. Tony Niemotka, main gate, Nha Trang '68-99.

Bruce Thompson on escort duty along route 1 out of Nha Trang. At right posing with three Vietnamese Military Police (QC). Bob Brennan (right), 823rd Combat Security Police was stationed at Phan Rang.